The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds hunters that deer season regulation changes this year make the regular, zone-specific bow, shotgun and muzzleloader deer permits valid only for the hunting of antlerless deer. To take an antlered buck, hunters now must purchase an additional Bonus Buck Permit. Bonus Buck Permits are valid in any zone but only when used in conjunction with a regular, zone-specific deer permit. Hunters are limited to purchasing one Bonus Buck Permit per permit season (i.e., one Bonus Buck Bow Permit, one Bonus Buck Shotgun Permit, one Bonus Buck Muzzleloader Permit).

As of October 27, Bonus Buck Permits for the Bow Permit Season can only be purchased by hunters who have not already purchased a Permit Bow zone-specific permit prior to October 27. Currently, a Bonus Buck Permit for the Permit Bow Season can only be purchased by hunters when they purchase their first zone-specific permit for the Permit Bow Season.

Hunters who have already purchased a zone-specific permit for the Permit Muzzleloader Season but have not yet purchased the Bonus Buck Permit are reminded they have until 11:59 pm on November 26 to purchase the Buck Permit for that season. Beginning November 27, Bonus Buck Permits for the Permit Muzzleloader Season may be purchased only by hunters who did not purchase a Permit Muzzleloader zone-specific permit prior to November 27. Beginning November 27, the only opportunity to purchase a Bonus Buck Permit is when a hunter purchases their initial zone-specific permit for the Permit Muzzleloader Season. The Bonus Buck Permit will be valid in all zones for which that hunter purchases zone-specific Permit Muzzleloader Season permits.

Shotgun hunters still have a choice between taking two antlered bucks during the 6-Day Firearm Season, or one antlered buck during the 6-Day Firearm and one antlered buck during the Permit Shotgun Season. Hunters who have already purchased a zone-specific permit for the Permit Shotgun Season but have not yet purchased the Bonus Buck Permit have until 11:59 pm on December 12 to purchase a Bonus Buck Permit.

Beginning December 13, Bonus Buck Permits for the Permit Shotgun Season may be purchased only by hunters who did not purchase a Permit Shotgun zone-specific permit prior to December 13. Beginning December 13, the only opportunity to purchase a Bonus Buck Permit is when a hunter purchases their initial zone-specific permit for the Permit Shotgun Season. The Bonus Buck Permit will be valid for all zones for which that hunter later purchases Permit Shotgun Season permits.

See pages 16 and 18 of the current issue of the Hunting Digest (pdf, 940kb) for additional deer permit information.